Some fire victims want more time in evacuation centers

CEBU, Philippines - Most fire victims in Barangay Lorega-San Miguel, Cebu City have finally returned to their place and are now staying at their newly-constructed houses.

But, some are asking for extension from the city government to stay at the evacuation center because the construction of their houses is yet to be completed.

 Charito Gorne, 39, asked for more days at the evacuation center.

“Hangyo unta mi og extension kay wa pa g’yud mi katukod intawon,” she said.

Mayor Michael Rama earlier ordered the Division of the Welfare of the Urban Poor to transfer all fire victims back to their respectively places before the Holy Week.

The mayor was set to meet last night with DWUP and other concerned officials to discuss the request for extension.

“If the situation may not be too cooperative, we can consider,” Rama said.

Rama said that on Monday they will already start cleaning the four evacuation centers used by the more than 500 families affected in the March 18 fire in Barangay Lorega.

According to Rama, there are other things the city government needs to attend to, so they need to finish them one at a time.

The reblocking in Barangay Lorega was finished in a month, as what the city government has targeted. The transfer of the families from the evacuation centers back to the area should have already take place at this stage, but some are yet to finish the construction of their new houses.

Those who have already returned to their place were happy about the situation in the area.

“Arang-arang na g’yud karon kay naa na’y kalsada ug napahimutang na mi,” said Jonel Barili, a resident of the barangay for almost 30 years now.

After clearing the three-hectare lot, the city government divided and distributed it evenly to at least 500 families affected by fire. — (FREEMAN)